Wilson - The Build Out (90%) Finished ! update 20 Oct 09

[billwilson]

All of the below comments from here, plus my thoughts on my build out

I have just completed outfitting a VW Westy so I am not unfamiliar with pros/cons of certain mods and also personal preference

My rig is a 2001 EB Ford V10 Quigley 4X4 Cruiser top
-30,000 miles, drive train and motor very good
-If this rig was camp/travel ready inside it would be @ a$50,000 price tag
-I did not pay that
-Good for me as i get to change the floor plan and make it work for me
not having to "settle" with PO ideas / floor plans / mods

MY end result is a rig:
Roadworthy
Functional
Durable
Low maintance
Able to throw a wet dog and a sandy beach chair inside and go
Not looking for a show car
(it has a 4 foot Cactus crease on one side that may even not get fixed

So, the below mods YES will cost me $$$ but i know approx prices and
I will have a totally custom rig for Me and Wifey for much less than
a SMB in good shape for ALOT less

MOST of my miles will be highway and some dirt roads
No intention of rock crawling with jeeps

PLEASE add your comments and experience
(Especially on the ones marked - ???)

This might be a good thread for “dream builds” or “what I would do if I had to do over again” or “what I will do on my Next rig”

I am pretty clear it all points to a custom build out at a local shop and NOT at SMB for a lot of this stuff


Microwave
Thought could run from inverter or 12 v model??
??? Anyone using a 12 v model??

Stove
Built in for sure, even if not used often
(Wife likes to cook outside but rain and snow and a quick snack…)
Flush mount for sure

Heater
Yes for my build
??? – Suburban vs. espar

House batteries
We need two plus solar plus generator (Honda in Aluminess)
??? - Where do they put them?

GPS
Integrated, less clutter

XL storage (in place of spare tire)
Biggest possible

Storage in doors,
??? - Able to get larger?

12v outlets
Get extras

Lights
LED only way to go
??? – SMB or aftermarket
??? – Sources you used, web sites

Alternator
Two or at least upgrade
??? – Any experience SMB or after market?

Galley
Pass thru galley looks good
??? – Pros and cons?
??? - door galley

Insulation / sound damper
As much as you can, eliminate holes for mice and air
Insulate water system

Cabinets / Construction quality
Not MDF
Need lighter and stronger
“More expensive but worth it “(from a post here)
(All points to a custom build out)


Exterior shower
I only want a wand and hose
Quick rinse vs. spa treatment ?
??? – What do you use?

Roof air
For many reasons we need one
I know it shore power or generator
??? – Experience, good or bad
??? – What brand do you have?

Fantastic Fan
I see great controversy
??? – SMB or aftermarket
??? – What model and why

Fridge
We are getting a 4cu 12v/110 no propane
We need the space
??? – Brands you have / experience?

Underbody rust
??? – Still looking for a solution for my rig
Was parked oceanfront on the Baja for months at a time?

Rear / Back up camera
??? – Brand
??? – install location high or low
??? - integrated in dash
( i know seperate component are better, but i dont want a Space Shuttle

Alarm system
??? – Your choices and why

Solar
I have One Kyocera 130 watt and a morning star controller with 200ah in my west
We will mount TWO Kyocera’s and TWO of the SMB batteries with a Blue Sky controller
??? – Comments / suggestions / experience

Roof rack / Ladder
No good solution yet
Will go see Dave at Aluminess
Must accommodate the two solar panels, roof vent, roof air and some small luggage / gear space

Storage in doors,
No decision yet
???- can they be made bigger?

Bike rack
I have a front hitch
Thinking of front mount for two mountain bikes
I like the Aluminess solution but
a) Wife could not put them up
b) After I have a few more birthdays I won’t either ?
c) I like easy on and off

Compressor
I know i need one
??? – Brand / model suggestions (to be stored under in the XL large SMB deal)

TV/DVD
- anyone have a 12v model?
- they appear to be in the $300 range for a all in one unit

what did i miss???

thanx in advance gents and ladies

[nalle09]

Hello Bill,

Well seems a lot of People are coming to US Vans. I also have VW Vanagon in my History and will be doing the Interior on our Van ourself. Now to your Points and Questions:

Microwave, we are not going to Install one. It is a very nice extra, but takes up lot space and we can live without it.

Stove, we are going with a mobile Diesel Stove. This way we can take it outside, when the weather is good. Or leave it at Home if not going to use it. Probaly one like this Ebay: 350218862312 (nothing to do with the Seller)

Heater, going to go with a Diesel Heater. Probaly from Truma

House batteries, I have not done much research yet. But will do 2 Solar Panels. 2 Batteries (+ a Starter), I think Optima will be the way to go.

GPS, going low Tech. Just a mobile TOM Tom Unit. And down the road a extra Handheld one for trips without the Van.

XL Storage, well the more the better. We are going with a Pop Up Top, so there will be storage on Top, in the rear Bumber and as much as possible inside.

Storage in doors, have not planned anything yet. Must have the Van first.

12v outlets, up front have at least 2-3 (which will run of the 2-3 Batterie). Also a Inverter for this and that (Laptop, Charger, ....)

Lights, LEDS are the way to go. There are many to choose from. Neon Light are not to bad either, maybe us 1 of those also.

Alternator, going with 2

Galley, no set Galley. Everthing mobile, so can be used inside and out. This what we are going to build.

Insulation / sound damper, Insulation will be extreme Insulator (nice stuff and does not pull or staroe Water). Sound will be small Taar mats which have the glue already on them. Are a lot of work to install, get blister on the Thumps. They are pretty heavy, but those 40-50lbs are worth the reduce sound.

Cabinets / Construction quality, planning to use/buildt/install Flight-Case style Cabinets. Are very light and very stable. Only Draw back they do not have the warm feeling as wood does.

Exterior shower, yes. Will be a black Tube on the roof, which can be put under preassure (with the Kompressor). Only for the outside, do not want that Water in the Van.

Roof air, Fantastic Fan, no need for it here in europe. When driving have have the Engine Air and when standing still we have windows, Doors, ...

Fridge, going with this one: http://www.xp-edition.ch/oscommerce/...roducts_id=167

Underbody rust, remove all rust, then will be treated 3-4 times over 2 Years with Fluid Film and after that Mike Sanders. That should take care of any rust Past, Present or Future (at least for some time)

Rear / Back up camera, nice extra, but one more thing that can break. So will not install it.

Alarm system, clear Vinyl on the Front Windows, dark on the rear. Makes break in, very hard with force. Alarm will be something like Viper (had it in the Past and liked it). Will install a GPS Tracker for the worst case.

Solar, no advise yet.

Roof rack / Ladder can't instal one like the Aluminess, DMV would shut the van down in a instant. So will be climbing the rear with the help of little small fold out step. (Sorry can't find the link right now). Roof Rack will be installed over the whole Pop Top, also on the Front part of the cab (that does not Pop) they will be the Lights for making the long Winter Night here, into Sunny days in the desert.

Compressor, looking at the Warn Whinch with the Compressor, or splitting it up (like most do) it has to go all into the front Bumper

TV/DVD Goin to use a LapTop as TV/DVD and also have a Satiliet with us for Internet, Phone & TV, look at the Badger site.


Well hope that I was able to gve you some Ideas. i do have a plan, which I'll post in the next couple days.

Mike

[billwilson]

very cool mike
will trade lists and comment on yours
the FLuid film is just what i have been looking for
thanx a Million

A smart man learns from his Mistakes
A Wise man learns from the Mistakes of Others

There is gotta be a bunch of TOFTT items and mods out there

I KNOW there is the end game of our rigs and life/camp/travel style
but lets get it out there !

Now if i can just find the power lifter for the bikes and camp chairs
and the powered Satalite dish i will be cool

I have already been 'dissed on the VW board

[scoobasteeve]

I saw them guys on the Samba. Man they are brutal. The sad part about it is in ten years I bet most of them will have moved away from VW's too.

[billwilson]

the samba guys are great just a bit Zealous

gents, hoping for your input
this is a full build out
i have priced this with SMB
they can do most, but not all
and the cabinets will be real wood
looking at Ultralight with Bamboo skin

heres some pics of the work the guy does
that is doing my rig:












I will wind up with a total custom rig
build for me, my floor plan, my tweaks
at about 1/3 the price of a new one


my current parts and to do list
comments, suggestions??
thanx in advance

Wilsons Parts List
Truckfridge TF 130 4 cf
.7 cf microwave
stove drop in
kitchen faucet
carrier AC low prof 15
carrier heater insert
countertop w/ sink
kyocera KC130TM
kyocera KC130TM
blue sky solar boost 50L
wiring switches breakers
lite specs ?
wood 1/2" ultra lite
bamboo vaneer
thetford potty
carpet
sure power battery isolator
dual batty switch
fantastic roof vent
curtains/day night (5 est)
reuphostry gaucho
insulation / dynamat
headliner material
Ext shower parts
CO2 alarm
Propane alwarm
Door latches / hinges
12 v recepticals (6)


My To do
xlarge under storage built local
new bumperladder (aluminess)
roof cargo rack (alumines
service Fuel system
Repair Top fwd window
Two new House batteries AMG 4d under rig
Fiamma Awning with THREE brackets ( fell off my westy too )


RV Install shop
Floor plan & design signed off by me

Fabricate & install lower cabinets
upper cabinets
"door galley"
"fold up" table end of kit cab
portable dining table
"slide out pantry"
replace door fold down doors
"hatch" for storage/rear
"pet crate" doors vs. space

Install two solar panels
solar controler
battery isolator
battery switch
roof vent
roof air
curtains / day nite shades
headliner
interior lights
12v recepticals (6)
counter top, sink, stove
insulation/dynamat
fold down legs on Gaucho

Service/rewire/replumb heater
water heater
sink
water system
co2 monitor
propane monitor
on board systems board
pre wire / 12 v and speakers
pre wire for fan(s)
existing house battery
wire in 2nd house battery
pre wire for TV/speakers
inverter
re-upohoster Gaucho
Gaucho longer
Gaucho "headboard"
exterior shower from exisiting

[daveb]

If you have the time read every post on this site...tons of info and ideas.

Microwave
Best on specific foods only but works great on those foods (fast).
Don’t cost much.
Take up space but you can store some stuff in it.
Uses a bunch of power.
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2268

Stove
I don’t have a propane system because it took up too much space on my design but yes it would be nice. Like the microwave it’s more of a convenience and my little butane stove was cheap and can be used inside or out. My true choice would be to have a built in propane stove that is plumed so I could hook up an external tank next to the driver door. I carry a tank for cooking outside which is 90% of the time anyway.

Heater
If I had a propane system, yes on propane heater but I don’t so I spent thousands on the Espar.

House batteries
2 4D AGM’s
Solar yes but if you plan to have a generator you probably only need a single 130 w panel. If you got an extra grand to blow go for 1 more solar panel.

GPS
I prefer using a lap top…Just me.

XL storage
You bet.
Might depend on battery placement.

Storage in doors,
Ask the guy who gonna build your van. Very handy.

12v outlets
I have one in back, one midway on each side, and one behind the driver. I also have 2 outside.

110 outlets
Same as above but only one outside. I wish I had one behind the passenger seat by the door.

Lights
Love LED’s but a florescent on the roof is nice. I plan to put LED outside lights around the van one of these days.

Alternator?
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic. ... alternator

Galley
I’m a 50 model guy and prefer it because I’m on the bigger side of life & I like the upper bunk. The cruiser is perfect as a walk through IMO but the 50 seems more open. I do use my sink and counter top all the time. The more space the better for food, pots and pans ect.

Insulation / sound damper
I wish I had more maybe something like lizard skin. The floor really kicks out the heat from the exhaust.
Plug all the holes.
If I could find a way to deal with water lines freezing w/o having to drain them I would. So far the coldest I’ve been in is 8 degree and had no problems, but only a couple days. I ran the Hydronic now and then and kept the Airtronic on all day. But it’s only a matter of time before a line cracks unless I drain em.

Cabinets / Construction quality
Use the best.


Exterior shower
I would rather have it plug and play from a port mounted outside the van. Hate to keep the door open to use it.

Roof air
What’s wrong with the Danhard? If it works as well as some have said why would you want a roof model? Besides you’ll probably need extra air while driving. Make sure you have enough Generator power.

Fantastic Fan
I can’t have anything on the roof because of gear and storage equipment. I carry the portable and when it’s needed it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made.

Fridge
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic. ... frigerator

Underbody rust
??? – Still looking for a solution for my rig
Was parked oceanfront on the Baja for months at a time?

Rear / Back up camera
All I have is an alarm that tells me something is back there. Didn’t need it until the aluminess bumper destroyed an Altima…oops.

Alarm system
I have Whatever SMB installed. Would be nice to have remote start and pager for sure.

Roof rack / Ladder
Got 2 ladders and plan to put on a rack that can also hold a Yakama pod when needed.


Bike rack
Where you gonna put that 3000 watt generator?
No rear box?
Spare tire?
If you don’t plan to off road much maybe do like the motorcycle guys are posting about. Up front might work too.

Compressor
I have an Extreme air mounted under the van to save space. If you plan to air down purchase a good one that is full duty.

TV/DVD
I’m waiting for all this HD crap to pass. I have a portable unit right now.

what did i miss???
http://autoramblings.com/

[billwilson]

Finalized the floor plan and mods

New real wood mahogany cabinets
2 4d batts
2 180 watt solar panels
custom ALuminess rack and bump
Roof air
4cf fridge
new headliner and uphostry

will take before and afters

I will have about the same into the rig
as a second hand one on the SMB site
EXCEPT
MY floor plan
Real wood
etc

Thank you guys and gals
Would not be possible w/o you

bw out

[mjeffrey]

You're having fun with all of this!

I think the 180W panels are 24V? Make sure your charge controller can accept it - you'd mentioned Blue Sky earlier, so you'll need the 3000-series rather than the 2000, I think.

Cheers!
Mike.

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by mjeffrey

You're having fun with all of this!

I think the 180W panels are 24V? Make sure your charge controller can accept it - you'd mentioned Blue Sky earlier, so you'll need the 3000-series rather than the 2000, I think.

Cheers!
Mike.

180's are 16v ( i think, gitta ck)
blue sky 3000 seires

will get email conf from manufacture before i pay pal the system

should be able to run Fridge, TV w/ DVD, laptop, lights, music, fans (putting computer fans INSIDE cabinets for airflow for fridge, clothes closet and dog crate, as well as vent fans
with panels charging about what my daily load is

ok off to a meetin

bw

[LenS]

We have a SMB penthouse with the 5 large windows. I installed a Fantastic Vent 6600R w 417 remote control.
Gave my niece my "older" 3 speed in/out Fantastic Vent unit. We STILL REALLY like having the vent, even with all those penthouse screens. The 66xx model uses about 1/3 the power of the older models. Has a built in thermostat that regulates fan speed for the temperature we set. IE: If the van starts to heat up the fan speeds up, if the van cools down below the user set temperature the fan slows down and can even stop. We can leave it open and leave the van because the rain sensor will close the top if it starts raining. Really like putting it in manual mode a setting the lowest speed at night. Can NOT hear the fan and it keeps a slight breeze in the van on still hot nights.

Maybe the guys on the west coast with ocean breezes don't require one but in the mid-west I think it is a must. Without a generator you can't run the AC while boondocking but the Fantastic Vent has such little amp draw you can run it for days.

We have lots of 110v duplex outlets and wish we had more. With laptop computer, cell phone chargers, camera chargers, hot pots (we cook outside but will boil water inside for coffee and washing up, zip lock scrambled eggs, etc.), etc.

Above does require inverter and we have a 1000w and 100w units. 1000w Triplite is hardwired in and I am in process of hardwiring in the 100w unit with needed selector switches.

Good Luck with your build.